Chapter 9
Diana could not dwell on her nightmare as there was a knock on her door. She left the bed and wrapped her silk robe around her body. She opened the door and a young woman was standing there. The girl was one of the women who worked in the palace and aided her mother.
"Majesty, your Mother wishes to speak with you. She said it was a matter of importance." The girl said respectively.
"Tell mother that I will be there shortly." Diana told the girl then closed the door. She removed her nightgown and dressed in her traditional Amazon attire. Then, she washed her face and patted it dry. As she did this the nightmare was still fresh in her mind. The dead bodies of Lois Lane, Alfred and her mother laying on the ground lifelessly. Defeated Meta-Humans, broken bodies and Bruce's last words, shouting her to run. The huge monster standing before calling himself Darkseid, before letting loose his powerful eye beams.
She needed to put this out of her mind. Her mother had summoned her that could only mean one of two things. Contact with the Atlantians had been made and they would meet with her or they refused and she would have to return to Gotham to inform him of her failure and then they would have to think of a new strategy to recruit the Atlantian.
Diana entered the throne room and saw only her mother, her aunt General Antiope, the General of the Amazonian army, her second in command Menalippe and Artemis. Her aunt walked over to her and hugged her close.
"Welcome home, Child." She said.
"It's only temporary, " Diana said. Menalippe bowed slightly in greeting to Diana.
"Menalippe, it's always good to see you." Diana said to the silent General.
"It's always good to see Themyscira's best warrior." Menalippe greeted her back.
"I was able to contact the Atlantians. While it was difficult, The King said he will allow the meeting to take place on a small island. You will leave in the morning. Antiope and her select group of guards will go as added protection." Artemis announced.
"Mother, I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, all I need is a crew for the boat." Diana opposed to her mother's overprotection.
"Your mother is right Niece; recent events have made the Atlantians, even more wary of Surface dwellers. As the daughter of the queen of the Amazons, they could try and take you hostage." Antiope stated adamantly.
"If they try they will get to know the Amazon steel." Diana countered.
"Regardless, Diana, your aunt and her troops will escort you. I order not as your Queen, but as your Mother." Hippolyta said.
"Very well, mother." Diana said and left the room followed by Artemis.
"Do you truly plan on listening to your mother?" Artemis asked suspiciously.
"She prohibited me from participating in the tournament to serve as emissary, did I listen then?" Diana responded.
"No, as I recalled you won the honor." Artemis replied.
"Can you contact the Atlantians?" Diana asked.
"Yes, I can." Artemis said.
"Good, inform them that unforeseen events have taken place and the meeting must take place sooner. If they agree we leave within the hour." Diana said.
"I will return with answer, Princess."
Artemis returned a short time later, the Atlantians agreed to meet with Diana at an earlier time. Diana and Artemis left the palace and walked toward the docks where a boat and crew would be ready to take them to the small island where the meeting would take place. The two Amazons neared the dock at the ship. They both stopped in their tracks when they saw Diana's mother and her aunt and a small cadre of troops boarding the boat.
"It seems that she knows, Princess." Artemis said.
"Only because you told her, Artemis." Diana said with a glare to her.
"You are my princess and so much more, but she is my Queen." Artemis said.
"I know." Diana said.
"Do not be angry with Artemis, I ordered her to tell me of your plans." Hippolyta said.
"I knew she would tell you, in fact I counted on it." Diana said.
"I now know how urgent this is for you." The Queen stated.
"The fate of the world is at stake if my friend is right." Diana said.
"You are the ambassador and emissary of the Amazons. You will lead Man's world into a bright future. But you have forgotten that you are a warrior and let your armor dull. I give you this as a gift from mother to daughter." Hippolyta said and signed to her soldiers.
An Amazon warrior stepped forward and handed Diana her armor. Diana noticed that had been polished, repaired and painted were it was needed. The breastplate was now a brilliant gold, the bodice a radiant red, the blue battle skirt now an eye catching blue; her boots were polished and repaired. Her bracers now silver as moon beams and her golden tiara polished and at its center the star was now shining red.
"Thank you mother, know that I will wear it with pride." Diana said with a smile then hugged her mother. They held each other, the special bond between mother and daughter. They slipped out of each other's arms and Diana boarded the boat. The crew cast the lines away and left the dock and sailed off toward the horizon. Hippolyta stood on the docks and watched the boat sail until it was out of sight. She wiped a tear from her eyes then turned and walked back towards the palace.
A few hours later the small island that was selected for the meeting was in sight.
"The island is in sight, Princess." Artemis said. Diana stood next to her and looked out to the horizon, as the land mass began to grow larger as they neared it.
"I need to change." Diana said then she turned and went below deck to put on her armor. Below deck she again admired her armor and dressed. She returned to the deck just as the boat was reaching the island. On the island was a small group of Atlantians. The crew of the boat bought a shore and Wonder Woman and her party left the boat.
They neared the Atlantian party and saw that they were dressed in battle armor. They were dressed in armor that could be considered sea shells, but no doubt strong enough to take the beating of battle. Most were armed with tridents as their primary weapon and swords at their hip. Their muscles were tense and ready for battle at a moment's notice.
The Amazons stopped a few feet from them. The two sides looked at each other taking measure of the other, looking for weaknesses that could be exploited in case they would have to battle each other. There was also strange that none on each side could remember when the last time that Amazons and Atlantians met face to face. Wonder Woman stepped forward, she was here on a mission and the two sides sizing each other up only hindered her cause.
"I'm Princess Diana of Themyscira; I'm here to meet with Arthur Curry." Wonder Woman said.
"Orin, is there, in the lagoon, but be warned we are watching and any harm that comes to him shall lead to war." Said one of the Atlantian soldiers.
Wonder Woman looked over to a secluded lagoon. She then reached for her sword and shield and removed them and handed them to her aunt.
"Your highness, your weapons, you might need them." General Antiope protested.
"I'm on a mission of peace. I don't need my weapons for that." Wonder Woman said then walked towards the lagoon. As she neared she saw him, his back was to her but she could tell that he was the same man that was in the video that Bruce had shown her. He was tall, taller than Bruce and appeared to have muscles upon muscle. He had scale like tattoos covering his arms and torso, orange hued bracers on his fore arms, the same colored armor covered his right shoulder in his hand was a trident which reminded Wonder Woman of Poseidon. He turned when he heard her coming up behind him. He was quite handsome, a beard covered the lower half of his face which was set into an intense look one that perhaps he wore at all times. He had long dark hair with streaks of blonde. He smiled at her as he came closer to him.
"You must be the Amazon that wanted to meet me." He said in a deep voice.
"I'm Princess Diana." Wonder Woman introduced herself.
"I have a kingdom and a wife to return to so say want you need, so I can go home." He said.
"A friend and I are recruiting people with special abilities, to fight unknown evil that is coming to this world." She said.
"This evil is only to the surface if it were to try and attack Atlantis it will have to deal with me. So I'm leaving I don't care what happens to the surface world." He declared undeniably.
"You're wrong, while your people call you Orin, on the surface you are Arthur Curry from Amnesty Bay, and you visit that place quite often especially when they are running low on food."
"You have mistaken me for someone else." He said in a calm tone.
"Your father died a year ago and you disappeared six months later it was only when video from a Lexcorp undersea drone took video of you." She stated.
"You're wrong Amazon, watch your words they could be your last." He cautioned.
"I'm not wrong. I have seen the video they took of you. I know that you were born on the surface and never knew your mother, but you've always had affinity with the seas and seas creatures." Diana said.
"Come with me and hear what my friend has to say; if you don't like what he says you are free to return to your kingdom in peace. I give you my word." Wonder Woman promised. He thought a moment then spoke.
"I need to think about it. Where can I reach you?" He asked eventually.
"I leave for Gotham in two days from Athens, you can meet me there." She said.
"If I'm not there, consider my answer as negative." He added.
"Fair enough, safe travels Arthur Curry." Wonder Woman said.
"Wait, I'll be there." He said.
"Two days, Athens." Wonder Woman said then turned and walked away.
GOTHAM CITY
Bruce and Alfred sat in the Batcave, they were reviewing the video on S. T. A. R. labs' scientist Silas Stone. After going over the video that Luthor had gather Bruce was able to discover that Silas was the single father of college football star Victor Stone. Silas was not happy that his son had chosen to pursue a football career, considering he had excellent grade in math and science like his father. Victor's choosing of football was no doubt a reason to distance himself from his father.
It was just before the Kryptonian invasion that Victor was in a horrible accident and taken to S. T. A. R. labs for treatment. All reports were that the process would be difficult and there was chance of death. The final report came just after the date on the Luthor video, all treatments had been futile and Dr. Stone took a leave of absence to care for his son in his final days. There had not been any further reports about Silas or the death of Victor.
"It seems like a dead end when dealing with Dr. Stone and his son." Alfred said.
"It appears that way, Alfred, check to see who Stone's lab assistants were?" Bruce said. Alfred combed over some material until he found one name that kept repeating.
"Ah, yes, it seems that Dr. Jennet Clyburn. Isn't she the young lady that proved Luthor supplied the ammo for the Nairobi frame up?" Alfred said.
"Alfred, get ready we're going across the bay I need to see someone at the Daily Planet." Bruce said.
METROPOLIS
The Wayne enterprises Chopper landed on the newly reopened Wayne Financial building. Bruce and Alfred left the chopper and took the elevator to the street and climbed in a waiting car. Alfred then drove to the Daily Planet building. Bruce exited the car and bought a small bouquet of lilies and overpaid for them, while telling the owner to keep the change. He entered the building and took the elevator to the newsroom. He exited the elevator and entered the room. Reporters were either on the phone or typing away at computers writing their stories.
He looked around for the familiar face. He saw the young lady named Jenny coming over to him. He remembered her from Clark's funeral only two weeks ago. She gave him a polite smile as she came near him.
"Can I help you sir?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm looking for Lois Lane." Bruce said.
"She's in with the Editor right now but I'll take you to her desk. You can wait there." Jenny said and escorted Bruce over the desk. The desk was cluttered with various pens, pencils, highlighters, post-it notes and notebooks. Pinned to the wall were photos of Lois and her family; a younger sister and her father-a General in the Army. There were also clippings of different articles that she had written, including the one she filed after the invasion. He then looked at the desk across from Lois; he noticed the name plate and walked over. It was Clark Kent's, still covered in the items he had left there his final day at work. Now it was a memorial covered with flowers, stuffed animals and various items of remembrance. Clark also had photos pinned the wall and in a frame on the desk. One was a family portrait, Clark, his mother and father when he was a child. The other was one of his mother and on the desk was one of Lois.
"I was told you wanted to see me,'' came a familiar voice from behind. He turned to see Lois' smiling face. The smile on both their face dropped away and they hugged. Lois wiped a tear from her eyes.
"I'd like to take you to lunch; I need to talk with you about something." Bruce said.
"Sure thing let me tell my boss." She nodded, then turned and called out. "Hey, Perry, I'm going to lunch with Bruce Wayne."
"Sure thing Lane, just don't charge it to the Planet." White yelled back without looking up from the copy that he was ready.
"Let's go." Lois said. Bruce then handed her the flowers and smiled. Then she took one and placed it Clark's desk.
Lois looked out the window of the lavish Italian restaurant then reached for her glass of wine and took a sip. She had barely touched her salad. Her eating habits had changed since Clark's death; she ate only out of need. She was clearly a woman nursing a broken heart.
"You talked to Martha, this week",Bruce remarked.
"How do you know that?" Lois asked with amazement.
"You know I have my ways." Bruce said with a faint smile.
"You do, that's why I'm wondering why you need my help." She said.
"You know Jennet Clyburn; she was your source on the frame up." Bruce started.
"What do you want with her?" She wondered.
"She worked with Silas Stone, when he was treating his son."
"I am starting to smell a story." Lois said with excitement in her eyes.
"You can't, this has to do with Meta-Humans, and Luthor was studying them. There were three others he was studying. I'm trying to find them." Bruce explained.
"You said three tell me the others." Lois urged him.
"The first is that Meta who helped us defeat Doomsday."
"Yeah, the Super-Woman at least that's the name she was given." Lois said.
"She prefers Wonder Woman." Bruce corrected.
"Wonder Woman, has a nice ring to it." Lois replied.
"There another in Central City and one more in Amnesty Bay, Maine, I plan on meeting the one in Central soon and she's handling the one in Maine." Bruce explained.
"But why do you need to talk to Silas Stone?" She asked.
"If his son is alive and now a Meta, then I need to speak to him." Bruce said not wanting to tell her more.
"Now, I need more than that, you owe me that, Bruce." Lois said.
"All right, Superman is dead, if anything like Doomsday or Zod were to come to Earth, there is nothing standing in the way. But if I can get these people to help me then Earth stands a chance." Bruce said matter-of-factly.
"Okay, give me an hour." Lois said.
"Thank you, Lois" Bruce said then took a sip of his wine.
THEMYSCIRA
Diana packed the last of her armor into her bags. Her mission was successful; she had made contact with Arthur Curry and persuaded him to return to Gotham. There it would be up to Bruce to persuade him to join them. She placed her lasso into the bag and closed it. An Amazon came forward and took her bags. Diana gave one last look at her room then closed the door. It would be the last time she would see her room until who knows, if she would ever return. The horror of her nightmare returned; the bodies of people all around her and then her own demise at the demon's hands.
She entered the throne room; only her mother was there. She was standing at the window observing the life of her people. Diana joined her and together they watched their people live their daily lives. Hippolyta placed her hand on Diana's.
"You are troubled; tell me what is the matter" She wanted to know with maternal concern in her voice.
"Nothing just a nightmare I had." Diana said.
"You have not had nightmares since you were a child." Her mother said, her eyes widened.
"I know, but this one was different." Diana countered.
Different…how?" Her mother asked.
"It was one of death of all those that I have encounter or will encounter." Diana said.
"There is something else isn't there?" Her mother asked with a knowing expression.
"Yes, it was my own death too." Diana revealed.
"We all dream of our deaths at one time or another, it will pass." Her mother reassured her.
"I know only one thing mother, I make my own destiny even my own death." Diana said with determination.
"Yes, you do, now its time for you to return to Man's world and with the Gods help you will succeed in whatever you and your allies have planned." Her mother said. They hugged then walked to the docks where they hugged again and Diana boarded the boat. As the boat left the island it grew smaller until it was out of sight. She needed to steel herself once again; it was time to join Man's world. She thought of the entire thing she would again encounter some good, some bad. Then she felt a wave of excitement come over her. Soon she would be reunited with Bruce, it was clear that there was romantic feeling between them, but for now friendship was the order of the day. Also there was still two other Metas they needed to see. Their recruitment drive was not yet over.
End of Chapter 9
